Good Ba Ba Possible Standish Handicap 2013 Chance

After a blistering five length barrier trial win at Cranbourne in their first official Australian outing, legendary Hong Kong galloper Good Ba Ba could be headed into the 2013 Standish Handicap at Flemington Racecourse on New Year’s Day.

The veteran Lear Fan 11-year-old proved they still had some miles in their old legs when stepping out for new trainer Rick Hore-Lacy on Monday having been pulled out retirement to put an easy five lengths on Sportscaster in a 1000m trial in a time of 1:00.71 after jockey Craig Newitt guided them from last to first.

A seven-time Group 1 winner and the only horse in history to have won a Hong Kong International race three times, Good Ba Ba hasn’t raced since they failed to beat home any of their rivals when crossing five and a half lengths away 14th to Xtension in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin back in April last year.

Not having won a race since the 2009 Hong Kong mile three years ago, $9.3 million earner Good Ba Ba is certainly an intriguing and testing new addition to Hore-Lacy’s stable.

Having impressed their new trainer at Cranbourne this week, Hore-Lacy is now considering running them first-up for the Australian debut in the $150,000 Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) on January 1, 2013.

“It’s hard to get a gauge on him because the horses he was up against weren’t of a very high class, but he certainly looked the goods when he stretched out in the straight,” Hore-Lacy said.

“He’s got a huge stride and I thought he was very impressive.

“We’ll probably give him another trial in a couple of weeks and then look at starting him off in the Standish on New Year’s Day at Flemington.”

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